Right now at most any apple orchard or even in the grocery stores, the claims to delicious apples is right on.

I have gotten three different apple varieties this year and have not been disappointed in any of them. I tried the Honeycrisp, Sweet 16 and the SweetTango varieties.

Sweet 16 is a bit more dense or firm, crisp and sweet. I think these will make wonderful apple pies.

SweetTango, I thought, is more like the lighter density of the Honeycrisp, sweet and very juicy.

Minnesota's own Honeycrisp is just about the best tasting apple I've eaten this year, but the true Pink Lady definitely gives it a run for the money.

Once the frost hits, my dad's apple trees should sweeten up as well. They are the Haralson variety and two years ago, the two trees produced so much fruit, Mom, Larry and I picked, ate and made applesauce until it came out our ears. But there is nothing better than homemade goodness. Mom and Dad's apple trees produce delicious apples every other year and when it is the off year, it makes you want them even more.

I hope to get a few quarts of homemade chunky applesauce, some plain and some with fresh/frozen cranberries made yet this fall. It is so good and so good for you. If you want to change your breakfast routine, try some oatmeal with a bit of cranberry/applesauce in it. You won't be disappointed!

Speaking of apples, my niece also gets a family project going and makes 60-plus apple pies and freezes them for use later on. What a project!

No matter how you use them, you won't be disappointed this year in some of Minnesota's finest produce. Get your apron on!

Thought for the week: I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. When I dream, I am rehearsing my future. – David Copperfield.